March 4: Let Him Flow

Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The day that the disciples were waiting for had finally come. They were all waiting with expectation and in unity, when suddenly the room they occupied got filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit. And oh it was not quiet! At first there was a great sound, like that of a mighty rushing wind. Then there was what appeared to be divided tongues of fire resting upon each of the disciple. Following all that, the people themselves opened their mouth and started praising God in languages they did not know. Was it chaotic? May be not. Was it loud? Oh yes, it was. In fact there was so much noise that people all around the neighborhood heard it and came running to see what was happening (Acts 2:5).

There is something about being filled with the Holy Spirit and producing sound. Every person who has experienced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit will attest that it was not a quiet experience. Rather it was the quite often the opposite. Some start crying, some start loudly praising, some start prophesying, and some start clapping loudly. Whatever the means, there is usually much sound produced when filled with the Holy Spirit. I would go as far as saying that someone who is quiet and trying to be polite and not wanting to disturb anyone will rarely experience the infilling of the Holy Spirit. So, the first tip to experience the anointing of the Holy Spirit is to open your mouth and praise God with all your might.  

The other evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit is the experience of speaking of tongues. Now, there are many opinions about tongues, but the scripture reveals that every time (at least the recorded ones) someone got filled with the Holy Spirit also spoke in other tongues (e.g.: Acts 10:46, Acts 19:6). The apostle Paul speaks extensively on the subject of speaking of tongues and how to handle the experience. Whether this gift is given to all or select few is a subject of debate, but speaking from personal experience – the gift of speaking in other tongues is available for all who seek it.

You might ask, “but what is the big deal whether or not I speak in tongues?” Or you might say “It is not necessary for me to speak in tongues to enter heaven!” That might be true (at least partially), but perhaps an understanding of the power of speaking in tongues will help if you are skeptic about speaking in tongues. Here’s some scriptures in relation to the power of tongues:

a)     It’s a heavenly language. It does not have to be understood by people. (1 Cor 14:2)

b)    It’s magnifies God (Acts 10:46)

c)     It edifies you. (1 Cor 14:4)

d)    You are speaking mysteries in the spirit. (1 Cor 14:2)

Speaking in tongues might look weird on the outside. It might sound like babble to the ordinary person. You might sound like you are drunk! Nevertheless, there is power in speaking in tongues. It will truly strengthen your spirit man, and bring you closer to God’s Holy Spirit.

Don’t let people’s opinions define your thirst for the power of the Holy Spirit. Avoid limiting God’s power in your life by staying quiet during worship. Or by humming a song and barely any sound coming out of your mouth. Express yourself freely. Lift up your hands in adoration to the Lord. Let the Holy Spirit do His work in you. Don’t quench His power. Just let Him flow.

Psalm 81:10 -

I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.